Buena Vista, Colorado
Dulles, Virginia
Posted: 11-Sep-23
Location: Portland, Oregon
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Preferred Education:
PNGC POWER
PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PNGC Power is an Oregon-based electric generation and transmission cooperative owned by 16 electric distribution cooperative utilities with service territory in the following seven states: Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. PNGC Power has total operating annual revenues and patronage capital of approximately $200 million, total assets of $62.2 million, and less than $1 million in long-term debt. Member utilities serve approximately 277,000 accounts with an annual peak of 1,400 MW. PNGC Power secures long-term, cost-based, load following power from the Bonneville Power Administration to meet the majority of its Members’ power supply needs.
As demand for electricity is expected to grow steadily in the Northwest, low-cost hydropower generating resources provided by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) will no longer reliably serve PNGC Power’s growing Member demand. PNGC’s goal is to continue to increase the competitiveness of its members through acquisition and development of new resources.
In addition to serving the wholesale power needs of its Members, PNGC Power negotiates and manages transmission service agreements for Member utilities, including:
- Scheduling
- Interacting with BPA on transmission policies, practices, and rates.
- Billing for transmission services.
- Representing members in BPA rate cases.
- Helping Members deal with transmission issues related to their service territory.
- Representing Members in billing disputes.
- Managing interconnection issues and wheeling agreements.
PNGC Power is governed by a 16-member Board of Directors comprised of General Managers/CEOs of each Member cooperative. The Board sets policy for PNGC Power as well as wholesale electric rates for the 16 Members.
PNGC POWER
PNGC Power operates on the seven cooperative principles and is responsible for all aspects of delivering power, acquiring transmission, and managing associated contracts on behalf of its 16 Member cooperatives.
PNGC Power is BPA’s second-largest customer and operates as a Joint Operating Entity (JOE), aggregating members’ loads and resources through a 20-year, load following, power supply agreement that expires in September 2028.
PNGC’s current load following service is coupled with a Tiered Rate Methodology (TRM). The TRM establishes a High-Water Mark (HWM) (base load) that qualifies for service at BPA’s lowest power cost (Tier 1). PNGC can serve Member requirements above the HWM (load growth), through purchases from BPA at Tier 2 rates (expected to be priced at, or around, market) or through acquisition and development of additional resources.
Historically, PNGC and its Members operated in a “tight pool” concept in a “BPA-centric” environment. While this approach served PNGC Members well, current Member needs, interests, and growth profiles are not as uniform, and different state policies and laws (e.g., renewable portfolio standards and carbon requirements) create different needs among PNGC Members. In order to continue to help Members reduce cost and risk through cooperation on transmission and power resources, PNGC established the following Key Strategic Objectives:
Create More Flexibility and Adaptability: PNGC recently signed new Member/Owner contracts that provide structural, financial and resource adaptability to better accommodate the diversity of Members’ short-term and long-term power supply needs.
Plan and Position for the Future Now: Although PNGC’s BPA contract does not expire until 2028, PNGC and its Members are proactively planning how to successfully position for the post-2028 world. This entails updated PNGC’s integrated resource plan and resource development plan; advocating for policy, legislation and procedures that maintain BPA’s competitive advantages; building coalitions around post-2028 BPA contract terms and conditions; exploring new, non-Federal resources to meet projected growth; and exploring potential RTO/ISO allies and other transmission risk mitigation strategies.
Grow and Enhance Membership with New Member Options: The addition of new Members to PNGC Power will reduce costs and risks for all participants. PNGC’s new Member/Owner contracts offer the flexibility and adaptability to attract new Members.
More information on PNGC Power can be found at: http://www.pngc.com/
PORTLAND/VANCOUVER REGION
The City of Portland is Oregon's most populous city with approximately 2.5 million people living in the greater metropolitan area. Portland is proud of its parks and its legacy of preserving open spaces and investment in public transit. In addition, the city is home to a diverse array of organizations including the Oregon Ballet Theatre, Oregon Symphony, Portland Art Museum, Portland Timbers (a major league soccer team), and the NBA’s Trail Blazers. Running, bicycling, skiing, and snowboarding are popular Portland past times. Portland is also well-known for its micro-brewery beer. The cost of housing in Portland is estimated at 184.1% of the national average.
Vancouver, Washington sits on the north bank of the Columbia River directly across from Portland, Oregon. The Pacific Coast is less than 90 miles to the west and the Cascade Mountain Range rises on the east. Vancouver combines the excitement of a major metropolitan area with small-town charm and abundant recreational opportunities. Cost-of- housing in Vancouver is estimated at 147.4% of the national average and Washington has no state income tax.
More information can be found at:
REQUIREMENTS:
The President & CEO is responsible to implement Board policy and directives and hire, direct and inspire the PNGC Power team to provide wholesale power supply management and planning, purchase or construction of needed resources, and operation of owned facilities. The President & CEO is also expected to represent the interests of PNGC Power and its Members regionally and nationally and be responsive to Member needs. Direct reports to the President & CEO include: Senior Vice President of Power Supply and Strategic Planning, Vice President of Government Affairs, Vice President of Administration, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Outside Counsel. PNGC Power employs a total of 17 people.
The President & CEO provides leadership for the following essential functions:
- Implement a resource development plan that requires securing Power Purchase Agreements and/or construction of generating facilities to meet the needs of PNGC Power’s Members in the most cost effective and operationally sound way, while achieving PNGC Power’s goal of 100% carbon neutrality by 2033.
- Investigate, recommend, and integrate new Member utilities for the benefit of all PNGC Power participants.
- Build partnerships and consensus in the region for wholesale power and transmission initiatives that benefit PNGC Power and its Members and partners. This includes efforts to establish a regional transmission organization and independent system operator (RTO/ISO). As well as addressing BPA related issues like securing long term solutions to fish and wildlife mitigation requirements, advocating for cost conscious operations, addressing growing financial constraints on U.S. Treasury borrowing (BPA’s primary source of debt financing), fending off attacks to breach dams, and addressing other uncertainties and risks related to the availability of Federal hydro resources.
- Negotiate contracts, planning policies, and settlements with Members, as well as with other utilities and organizations.
- Assist the Board to build consensus on PNGC investments, approaches and strategies among Board Members and Member Boards.
- Stay informed of Member system activities.
- Build and maintain PNGC’s key strategic relationships in the region and nationally and serve as a thought leader in the Northwest.
- Influence policy makers to take actions that support the vision and priorities of PNGC and its Members. Testify before federal and state bodies.
- Provide timely and comprehensive information and recommendations to support Board decision-making and keep Board and Member systems informed of PNGC activities, emerging financial and operational challenges, as well as regulatory, legislative, and technological changes.
- Recruit, retain, develop, and inspire a talented and motivated team while identifying and implementing a plan to migrate from 100% remote work to a hybrid approach that best balances the needs of PNGC Power employees and the Board of Directors. This includes addressing the need for physical office space, likely in the Portland, Oregon/Vancouver, Washington area.
- Identify and secure grant opportunities that benefit PNGC Power and its Member cooperatives.
- Ensure the efficient operation and administration of the business of PNGC Power, which includes maintaining the integrity and excellence of its Board-approved budgets, forecasts to be used in planning, accounting records, financing, financial position, and internal management.
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
PNGC requires a seasoned and accomplished leader and manager who can build and execute a power supply and transmission strategy to move PNGC toward asset ownership in a cost-effective manner. He or she will possess the knowledge and ability to evaluate different power supply resources, which could include identifying and negotiating power purchase agreements along with proposing, procuring, permitting, constructing, and/or operating generation facilities such as solar, wind, natural gas, hydropower, small modular nuclear reactors, or other emerging technologies. Additional knowledge of asset/portfolio optimization and trading in organized energy markets is ideal. A fully qualified candidate will possess expertise in enough of the above areas of acumen to be seen as a credible and strategic leader.
PNGC Power requires a CEO with outstanding oral and written communication skills who will maintain and foster a high level of integrity, trust, and credibility with all stakeholders. The CEO must forge strong relationships and work collaboratively and transparently with the Board of Directors, employees, industry peers, and other critical industry partners. He or she is also expected to be an accomplished manager who builds strong teams and offers a track record of employee development.
PNGC Power is targeting candidates with a bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or a related field, in addition to having ten plus years of cooperative or utility related leadership experience, and a comprehensive understanding of generation and transmission operations. Fully qualified candidates will possess the ability to establish, execute, and achieve PNGC’s financial, operational, and membership growth goals. Knowledge of hydropower operations is a plus, as is expertise within the Pacific Northwest marketplace.
COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND RELOCATION
PNGC Power offers a competitive total compensation and benefits package, which will be commensurate with candidates’ qualifications and experience. The benefits package includes participation in an employer-funded defined-benefit retirement plan, a 401k plan with employer match, and multiple options for medical, dental and vision insurances. Relocation assistance will be negotiated.
TO APPLY
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume in PDF format to jgallo@mfpllc.us no later than October 13, 2023.
Joyce Gallo
Mycoff Fry Partners LLC
PO Box 1310
Conifer, CO 80433
(800) 525-9082
PNGC Power is an Equal Opportunity Employer
